The Royal Canadian Mint is planning to issue on February 2, 2016 a 1 oz. Fine Silver Coloured Coin "Traditional Ukrainian Pysanka" with a low mintage of 4,000. This is the first-ever egg-shaped coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint.
With its handcrafted beauty and intricate patterns, a pysanka is one of the most beloved forms of traditional Ukrainian folk art! This carefully decorated Easter egg is a veritable treasure trove of symbolism, where each motif and colour carries a deeper meaning that bestows a special blessing upon its recipient. The creative process itself is a time-honoured ritual, a tradition that predates Christianity and has been lovingly passed down from one generation to another. The pysanka egg, in all of its colourful splendour, remains an artistic celebration of life and rebirth, a blessed token of esteem, and a powerful protective emblem—for it is said that as long as pysanky are made, good will continue to prevail over evil.
Designed by Canadian artist Ann Morash, this coin captures the intricate beauty of a pysanka. Every element on this Ukrainian Easter egg is rich with symbolic meaning, including the individual colours: yellow stands for youth and purity; red represents the joy and passion in life; green is the colour of spring, which brings hope and renewal; and black suggests the darkest time before dawn, and the idea of eternity.